The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-07-22

With distended eyes she turned to look at
her accuser, "Oh, my Cod" she cried, u
am lost Oh. have mercy, sir-I will never
steal another cent. Oh, shall die-ob-oh +
and then broke into the most agonzng sobs.
stop thst," snapped the polite mind-reader,
"and explain yourself Who are you ?"
"Sir. ] am Mrs. Clithers, and have as
much right In this Office 90 my husband.
am not afraid that he will arrest me my fear
10 Of his knowing 1t. Oh, sir, is there not
some way Of hiding this from him Ipromise
solemnly never to take any more money In
this way"
"Humph p remarked CARDINAL, looking at
her composedly; $50 you are his wife. So
you don't want him to know. Very natural,
Of course but hard TO 10. No, don't want
money. Who do you think am.i"
"A detective, ! suppose"
"No, . mind-reader. Don't be afraid" with
an amused smile; your secreis are safe from
me. II you give me little assistance, shall
be mum about this affair. In the first place,
want you TO do all in your power to induce
your society friends 10 attend mind reading
seance your husband will tell you Of. In
the second place, want You TO send by mail
TO this address, tonight, II possible, a rough
plan, drawn on paper, OF your house, and also
Indicate the receplacles that bold, say dozen
valuable articles, and their location-such as
jewelry or silyerware, etc. You wonder at
such request 1t is In order that may ap-
pear familiar with the inside of your house
at the seance, and thus insure its success. Do
this and keep close tongue, and l am dumb.
Or course You will be sure to be present at
my exhibition to indorse the accuracy of my
undertaking Is 1t agreed ?"
1t was evident that she doubted him. Such
an extraordinary request. But, then, the
shsme--the bitter shame.
II will do II; only don't play me false"
And as lie smiled In satisfaction she slipped
from the room. He looked at his watch; the
ten minutes were nearly up. So he settled
himself In the chair, and with a dreamy look
In his eyes and q mysterious smile, Mr.. Clith-
ers found him on his return.
II thank you for your courtesy" lie said, on
taking his leave. II have forged the first link
of the mental chain that will bind your thief.
Send that list you spoke of to my hotel--the
Palace-and don't fail to turn up at my
sesnce."
And so II happened that evening that Two
letters addressed TO Mr.. CARDINAL were sent
from Mr.. clithers's house.
evening at the Bijou Hall, which the mind
tUuuCi uuu bCCutC lIu oCduCC. UlEb. Slltu-
ers evidently had not failed 10 keep her
promise. Her husband, too, had exerted
himself to secure large attendance of the
elite of society. The ladies' tongues were
busy discussing from every conceivable point
of view the creed of reading the mind of
men.
At 8 O'Clock precisely, Mr.. CARDINAL etep-
ped on the platform. He had made himself
conspicuous around the town since his ar
rival, so lie was pretty well known. After q
few words Of introduction, in which he hum
bly, stated that he was as yet but an amateur,
he begged the audience to choose COM
mittee Of two to assist him In his demonstra-
tons. A dozen offered themselves, but
finally, after much discussion, society
youth, fearfully and wonderfully vain and
pompous, and Mr.. Clithers, were chosen to
represent the audience. When the latter
was chosen, a gratifled smile wreathed Mr..
CARDINALS face, but at the sight of the dud-
ish youth be appeared almost disguised.
This 10 really too bad" whispered ne to
MIR. Clithers, when the committee were on
the platform; he has no mind cannot read
o vacuum; do-dO let me use you as me-
dunn. Just make the youth fetch and carry"
And he winked solemnly at Mr.. Clithers,
who was evidently flattered at this evidence
that he had mind at all. The first test was
the hiding Of gold watch by Mr.. Clithers-
the mind-reader and the youth retiring
Now, when they both emerged Mr.. CARDINAL
seemed to change his mind about the brains
of the youth, for lie asked him If he knew
where the watch was hid. The youth an
swered Yes, having watched through'a small
crack In the door. Then the mind.reader
said ~ will find 1t through YOU" Immedl-
ately both turned their footsteps towards
one of the window stills, and stopped at it.
There was the watch. But whether the
mind-resder led the youth, or the youth the
reader, was more than the audience could
determine. However, this success ELECTED
the greatest applause.
CARDINAL then requested some one In the
audience to hide an article, and he would
find II. As he spoke he fixed his eyes on
Mrs. Clithers. She read that look at once.
and conquering her dislike, stood up and
said she would hide something. He bowed
and apologized, and retired. She went to the
stage and laid the article at the right-hand
corner on the floor. 1t was common pin.
The mind.reader appeared bindfolded, as
usual, and stepping down from the stage,
took her hand In his. "Where is 1t 7" he wills
pered, as he bowed. She told him. After a
few maneuvres, indicating uncertainty. he
rushed to the spot, and picked up the article
trlumphanlly.
The rest of the exhibition consisted entire
ly OF description Of the inside of Mr.. Clith-
ers's house. Having asked that gentleman to
say 10 the audience that the mind-reader had
never been inside the house, he proceeded 10
make minute statement of the location of
nearly every article of value Mr.. Clithers pos
sessed. The latter was perfectly astonished.
There could be no denying the gift of this
man. He declared that Mr.. Clithers was the
best subject he had ever operated ON, adding
that he had remarkable brain cell organism.
In fact, he had Mr.. Clithers blushing with
pleasure and the audience In high good
humOr, when the town clock struck eleven.
He was apologizing for the lateness Of the
hour, when sudden hustle became manifest
al the door Of the hall. Some one was try
ing TO force an entrance, the ushers interpos-
ing. A harsh, gruf voice said something In
low tone, and then q passage was made
The audience turning round to ascertain the
cause, heard murmer of claw" and "offi-
GERS" as two burly men advanced towards
the platform. A couple Of silly women
shrieked. All eyes instinctively turned 10
the platform, Mr.. CARDINAL had retreated
to the rear. A fearful frown was on his brow,
and he was biting his nails convulsively.
DON'T DC Alarmeu, Balu one OF the intru-
ders. II make no doubt you've had nice
evening of 1t, he's 30 very funny"-pointing
his finger at the mind reader-"when he gets
started. But he's lunatic, just the same"
"A lunatic crazy" came In chorus
Some Of the women rose hastily, and attempt
cd to 60 out.
you'd better all keep still" continued the
man. HE takes queer notions, and ifhe saw
you all going out, he might think there was
q fire and get very violent, and maybe kill
some one"
"Come, come" angrily remarked Mr.. Clith-
ers, losth to give up his IDOL" are you sure
you're not making q mistaken Say, Mr.
CARDINAL, you are not crazy, are your
Whereat both men burst into loud laugh
ter.
"Why, look at him." said the first spokes-
man; and indeed he did not appear sane. His
eyes were flashing vindictively at the audi.
ence, and moving right and len, as though
looking for O chance to run.
ooh, he'd deceive q smarter man than YOU"
continued the keeper, for that is what he
evidently was "You see he's got mind read
inO nm the hrain Has haap that xya =, tLa,,